Mallett on how Boks could struggle

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Cape Town - Former Springbok coach Nick Mallett has highlighted how the South Africa could experience more hiccups at this year’s Rugby World Cup.

Mallett was speaking in the SuperSport studio following South Africa’s 34-16 win over Scotland in Newcastle at the weekend.

“If we get to a situation where we are physically matched by a team like New Zealand, or perhaps Ireland, and they use an equivalent kicking game against us and put us under pressure, it could be difficult.

“It's quite easy to defend against us, we don't create all that many linebreaks. You create linebreaks with dummy runners, change of angles and inside balls etc.

“There was a poor performance against Argentina in Durban and a poor performance against Japan, when we tried to play a bit too much rugby and our skill levels weren't good enough. If we think we are going to get to a semi-final or final, the way we are going to beat a top team is to play to our strengths, not to their strengths.”

Mallett also lauded the Boks for their performance against the Scots.

“Let's celebrate this win, we're already saying Scotland weren't that good and that they picked a B team, but we played well today.

“The only try they scored was an interception from 75m out. We controlled the game territorially and it was a game we never really looked in danger of losing.

“Congratulations to South Africa first and foremost, we've now got to play the USA, who haven't picked up a log point yet. I know that game will be four days later, but our squad is surely good enough to be able to make eight or nine changes, get fresh legs onto the field, and those players will want to show that they are deserving to be in the World Cup squad. We should be able to get enough points to finish top (of Pool B).”

The Boks next tackle the USA at London’s Olympic Park stadium on Wednesday to conclude their Pool B assignments (kick-off 17:45 SA time).